Investigating requests for pardons, reprieves, and commutations of sentence

Processing foreign prisoner transfer requests

The board’s workforce includes 15 commissioners, appointed by the Governor and subject to senate confirmation, deputy commissioners, forensic clinical psychologists, investigators, and administrative and legal staff.

The board’s commissioners meet once a month to conduct an executive board meeting that is open to the public. Most are held at the board’s Sacramento office, although meetings may occasionally be conducted in other locations. Any member of the public may comment on board-related business at an executive board meeting, although comments regarding specific cases are limited to those listed on the meeting agenda. Comments regarding pending cases not on the agenda should be directed to the institution where the inmate is housed. Meeting agendas are published at least 10 days in advance of the executive board meeting.

Our Mission

The mission of the Board of Parole Hearings is to protect and preserve public safety while ensuring due process to all criminal offenders who come under the board's jurisdiction.

Our Goals

To maintain a high performing and professional parole hearing and review system that protects California's communities and is fair to all adult offenders.

To ensure and develop programs that promote shared responsibility for community safety and provide meaningful participation for parties interested in parole hearings and reviews.

To allocate financial resources and personnel in an effective and efficient manner consistent with the board's mandates and the laws of the state.

To develop preventive strategies to minimize legal challenges to the board’s decisions.